Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-12-17
FROM THE SOUTH.
Political and Industrial Situation
in Alabama.

Tho INTER-OCEAN interviewed Mr..
Joseph ii. Parsons of Birmingham Ala,
on the commercial, industrial and poll
tical affairs of that state, Mr.. Parsons
says the changes and transformations in
tho northern part of Alabama in the
past ton or fifteen years are wonderful to
contemplate. Property has increased in
volume and value beyond the COM
prehsnsion OF the people. Northern
capital and northern enterprise have
worked these changes. 1.-The tens Of
thousands of people" says Mr.. Parsons,
"who had learned to live contentedly in
tho mountains and out Of the way places
beyond the sound Of anything Of
Il more progressive character than
the crack OF the squirrel rifle
and the bay OF the coon dog;
who had settled down TO corn pone,
possum roast and mountain dow
whisky aud were unconsciously, yot
conscientiously, voting for Andrew
their ancestors did 90 before them, have
suddenly awakened to the fact that thoy
are capable Of something better. They
are coming down from their mountain
Businesses and emerging from the pine
svamps and taking places at tho forge
and among the wheels and shafts of tho
great manufactures. Thoy arc learning
the value of money and arc filling up
tho avenues of progress 80 long grown
to cinnamon seed and cockleburs.''
"What do tho people think of the
Democratic free trade messago?"
"'rhe people Of northern Alabama arc
opposed to it, and will elect ut least three
protectionist congressman next time.
| That will be the issue in tho manutactur.
ing regions. In the southern part of tho
| state, where cotton is the staple product,
the message meets with favor, but Ala
bama as 4 whole is for protection. The
next L. S. senator will be Il protcctionist.
Were it not for the dcspise word ltcpub-
lican, Alabama would vote for Blaine il
he is the nominee.
GLOW are tho negroes treated in your
statc?'
"Well, they are treated like negroes,
and will continue to be 80 treated AZ long
~ the present political euualities and
social inequalities exist. The negroes
in our state are being schoolcd in sopa-
rate buildings, at tho public expense.
and the cost OF their schooling is far be-
yond tho amount they contribute to
tho public funds. As they become od-
public affairs. In the southern part Of
tho state thoy arc in the majority over
| the whites, but do not control public
affairs. Tho time is coming, however,
when he will insist upon his rights un.
der tho constitution. 1t is too late fol
us to say whether that portion OF the
constitution relating to tho negro il
right or wrong The problem Of the
south today is will the white man sub.
nit to negro domination? Tho negro j:
arriving vt that interesting point where
he understands tho power of the ballot
lie also understands that in matters OF
apportionment he is being counted, bn'
his white neiuhbor is exercising all tho
authority and privileges. For instance
take county with 5000 blacks anC
5000 whites. In matters OF appOrtiOn
ment the population of that county
would be reckoned at 5000 people, but il
conventions and elections the 3,0I
whites exercise all the power. In Othcl
words, the delegate to the next Demo
cratic national convention who repro
sentsa region where the black pOpula
ton is double that of the whites, bu
where the black vote may be a nulity
in one way or another, will have al
equal voice with tho delegate from the
north who represents similar nuLnbe
OF people, every ono of whom is FREE
to exercise all tho political rights guar
anteed by the constitution"
Mr.. Parsons looks forward with decI
Iapprehonsiony to the time when thi
color line question must lie settled. Tha
10 the problem OF the near future i'm tn
lsouth.